Although televisions played a big role in President Kennedy being elected, two other technological advances were prominent- the nuclear missiles and the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union.The Soviet had developed long-range missiles and had already sent Sputnik I into space, leaving America behind.In his 1961 proposals for increased spending to stimulate the economy, President Kennedy gave 20% of the budget increase to the Department of Defense for new nuclear missiles and nuclear submarines to help build up military forces.In the story of the space race, on April 12, 1961, the Soviet Union announced its success in launching a man into space on the Vostok, which orbited Earth once.Kennedy felt challenged by the Soviet, and it was decided that by the end of the decade, a man would walk on the moon.May 1961, found Alan Shepard in space and gave NASA momentum.Less than a year after the Soviet’s launch, on February 20, 1962, American Colonel John Glenn orbited the Earth three times.The United States worked on getting closer to their goal, which was then reached on July 20, 1969, when U.S. astronaut, Neil Armstrong, became the first man to set foot on the moon.Improved education was called for and science programs were expanded in schools and colleges.Of course, the space program would not have been possible without technological developments, including computers and miniaturized electronics made possible by transistors.
(Alan Shepard: first America to space in the Freedom 7, on May 5, 1961.)
National Security Action Memorandum No. 181.
Written to the Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, Attorney General, Acting Director, CIA and General Taylor, this top secret Memorandum gives specific instructions that the President has issued once the new bloc activity was confirmed in Cuba. It involves requested action of removing Jupiter missiles from Turkey, what the U.S. people should be told of this crisis, and making other NATO nations aware of Cuba's partnership with the Soviets in order for said countries to limit their economic involvement with Cuba. This document mentions operation MONGOOSE and plans of action should war break out. Since it was top secret and sensative for a time many weren't aware of exactly what was going on.National Security Action Memorandum No. 181
Nov. 6,1962 photograph.
This photo was taken from a RF-101 reconnaissance jet, that if you look closely is visible in the bottom right corner. This is just one of many photographs taken from spy planes of the United States. As technologhy advanced so did our ability to keep an eye on our enemies. The picture shows the loading of missile supplies from Casidila. It is images like this that put Kennedy on alert, and helped him take action.
CULTURE
The 1960's was a time of activism. Many groups protested for equality in the workplace and in life itself. Latinos and Native Americans, alike, protestest and created organizations to help their people keep their culture, gain political ground, and gain more equality. Through organizations, such as United Farm Workers Organizing Committee and Mexican American Political Association, Latino farmers received higher wages and other benefits, and more voting rights. Native Americans created the American Indian Movement and protested rights to choose how they want to live and educate their children, as well as preserve their culture and to have government-possessed land returned to them. Around the same time, a women's movement began, stemming from the idea of feminism- the belief that women should have economic, political and social equality with men. Organizations, such as National Organization for Women, helped women obtain their goals. People, such as Gloria Steinam and Phyllis Schlafly, staged protests against sexism and fought for equality for the female sex. Women gained many opportunities from this movement, fsrom college to careers and work. Also during this time was the movement of counterculture. Supporters of this movement were known as "hippies". Characterized by long hair, bellbottom jeans, psychodelic and floral patterns, flower power and peace signs, this movement was one of nonconformity. Youth and other nonconformists left the American society of going to school and living in houses- which they said was hollow with its materialism, technology, and wars, to live in groups, or communes. Drugs, mostly those which created a feeling of inner peace and provoked free thinking, along with rock'n'roll were big during this time, especially The Beatles, who shook America and took the country by storm in 1964. Counterculture soon faded but art and fashion from that time did not. Some things that endured through time were pop art and colorful and comfortable clothing, such as blue jeans which became an everyday item in American life. This time was also marked by a sexual revolution in which casual relationships became more prevalent.
Feel Like I'm Fixin' to Die.
Joe McDonald and a band of friends composed this "anthem of the sixties". He was the editor for the magazine "Rag Baby" and apparently ran out of things to publish. So him and a group of buddies decided to do a talking issue, and with nothing but jugs recorded the original versoin of the song "Feel Like I'm Fixin' to Die." The song was spawned from the Free Speech Movement. Country Joe and The Fish spoke out openly in this song about their honest opinions on Vietnam. "And it's one, two, three,what are we fighting for? Don't ask me, I don't give a damn, next stop is Vietnam. And it's five, six, seven, open up the pearly gates, well there ain't no time to wonder why, whoopee! we're all gonna die." Clearly they were against the countries decisions to go to war once again. They believed it would only make things worse for America and they weren't the only ones. A major portion of America was infact against this war in Vietnam.
Billy Joel wrote this song a little later on, but he lived through this time period and experienced these happenings head on. It's a timeline of major events in history that have impacted America. It's comprised of things that have happened that we couldn't help, because, "We didn't start the fire, It was always burning, Since the world's been turning, We didn't start the fire, No we didn't light it, But we tried to fight it." Some events listed from this period in time are: The Bay of Pigs, U-2s, and the assasination of Kennedy. We Didn't Start the Fire
COLD WAR
Soon after he took office, President Kennedy’s attention was diverted to Cuba, whose government was taken over by revolutionary leader, Fidel Castro, who declared himself Communist.Castro welcomed aid from the Soviet Union.American owned oil refineries and commercial farms were taken over by Castro’s government.Although many Cubans supported Castro and his actions, many others thought him a traitor to the revolution.This sent 10% of the Cuban population into exile-mostly in the United States.During the summer of 1960, President Eisenhower decided he would have Cuban exiles trained so they could invade Cuba to trigger a mass uprising to overthrow the revolutionary leader.When the 1400 exiles land in the Bay of Pigs they were met by Cuban troops, who proceeded to slaughter the exiles and take them prisoner.Although it was the CIA’s and Pentagon’s decision, Kennedy publicly blamed himself.The next crisis with Cuba was the missile crisis.Soviet Premier Khrushchev increased the flow of weapons, including nuclear missiles, to Cuba, which the U.S. would not stand for.Kennedy implemented a quarantine area around Cuba, preventing Soviet ships from landing in Cuba.Although a Soviet ship approached the quarantine area, it stopped, and a few days later, Khrushchev, not wanting America to invade Cuba, decided to take the missiles out of Cuba.Next, Kennedy’s attention was drawn to West Berlin, where refugees fled from East Germany’s Communist government and weakened the country’s economy.To solve the problem of overpopulation, Khrushchev threatened to sign a treaty that would cut off all access into West Berlin, but Kennedy refused to give up U.S. access to Berlin.So, seeing Kennedy’s determination and knowing America had a superior nuclear striking force Khrushchev couldn’t close access to West Berlin and West Germany.Instead, he had a concrete wall topped with barbed wire built- the Berlin Wall, which solved the premier’s main problem of reducing the number of East Germany refugees but did not help with Cold War tensions.In April 1963, it was announced that the Soviet Union and the United States had established a hookup that would enable leaders to communicate instantly if another crisis arose.A Limited Test Ban Treaty that barred nuclear testing in the atmosphere was agreed to by both countries later that same year.The Berlin Crisis raised awareness of how quick a decision could be made, taking it from Cold War peace to a nuclear crisis.
Kennedy's Berlin Speech.
On July 25, 1961, President Kennedy addressed the nation on the crisis Berlin found itself in. He explained that 7 weeks prior he had visited Europe in order to meet with Premier Khrushchev and the other men involved. Khrushchev's words were full of threats and his plans on taking out West Berlin. He felt it would be so very simple. Then Kennedy continued with how America would not be trod upon by the Soviets. He said, "We have previously indicated our readiness to remove any actual irritants in West Berlin, but the freedom of that city is not negotiable. We cannot negotiate with those who say, "What's mine is mine and what's yours is negotiable." But we are willing to consider any arrangement or treaty in Germany consistent with the maintenance of peace and freedom, and with the legitimate security interests of all nations." Kennedy wanted peace with all nations, but if he couldn't get it, he would do everything in his power to protect the ones he was bound to. The remainder of this speech held his specific ideas for further action, also what to do if America found itself in a nuclear war.
During this time period American was constantly on the edge of their seats about engaging in nuclear war with the Soviets. This cartoon was published on November 6, 1962, right in the peak of it all. It shows President Kennedy and Primier Krushchev on a very large crate, trying to come to terms with their "big monster", nuclear war. Krushchev seems to be scowling at Kennedy, and Kennedy looks speechless. Neither can make themselves appear weak, but neither want their countries destroyed under the others weapons. Both are very aware what could happen if they don't come to terms with their differences. They have to decide someway where they can both be content with their circumstances, and still hold their tough looking appearances.
CIVIL RIGHTS
Segregation continued into the Twentieth Century for African Americans.There were separate waiting rooms, public bathrooms, water fountains, seats on the bus, elevators and witness stands.Trying to escape the racism and discrimination in the South, led African Americans to the North, along with industry jobs created by WWI.Resentment for African Americans by white people because of competition for jobs led to violence.WWII opened up even more jobs to African Americans, as well as Latinos and white women, as well as military positions.Thurgood Marshall and his NAACP lawyers fought and won many Supreme Court cases pertaining to segregation.The most prominent being the case of Brown v. Board of Education, where a young girl was denied admission into an all-white school four blocks from her house and was told to take a bus to an all-black school 21 blocks away.This was deemed unconstitutional.Another famous event was Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott that lasted for 381 days.Perhaps the most famous of all was 26-year-old pastor, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who believed in nonviolent confrontation of government, and peaceful resistance and refusal. His most famous speech was his I Have a Dream speech, delivered on August 28, 1963. Many organizations were created to aid in the protests.Such organizations include the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which staged protests and demonstrations and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, a group created by African American university students.The Congress of Racial Equality staged the first “sit-ins” where African American protesters would sit at an all white lunch counter and refuse to leave until they were served.These protesters were beaten, jeered, and had food poured on them, though they did not fight back.Despite being arrested, beaten, suspended from college, tear gassed and fire hoses, they did not back down.On July 2, 1964, President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964.This act prohibited discrimination because of race, religion, national-origin, and gender, as well as gave citizens rights to enter all public places.Other African American Civil Rights protesters included Robert Moses- a New York school teacher who left his job to join the SNCC, Fannie Lou Hamer- the daughter of Mississippi sharecroppers who spoke for the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party at the Democratic National Convention in June 1968, and Malcolm X- an African American Muslim who advocated for self-defense and believed that African Americans should be proud of their identity.During a speech in Harlem’s Audubon Ballroom, on February 21, 1965, Malcolm X was shot by three men.The African Americans were making progress on the road of breaking down racial barriers.
Martin Luther King Jr.'s I Have a Dream Speech
.Martin Luter King Jr. was an extremely influential speaker. He could grab the attention of every different type of person, whether the people wanted to hear what he had to say, or not. On August 28, 1963, he delivered perhaps his most famous speech in history at the Lincoln Memorial, in Washington D.C. His "I Have a Dream" speech infact doesn't start with those words. It starts with looking back 100 years to what Lincoln did for this country with the Emancipation Proclamation, how his monument stood as a ray of hope for the African Americans. He addressed his concerns for his people, that they were "still languishing in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land". Though King wasn't about to stand by and watch as his people were continually treated so horribly, because he did have a dream. His dream was for us as American's to stand up for the very thing we preached, that all people were created equal and every man had the right to reach his full potential and not be squashed by the racial views of another. This speech affected many different peole in different ways and truly had an impact on the direction America was headed racially. "I Have a Dream"
The Ballot or the Bullet Speech.
Malcolm X, was Muslim minister, who wasn't for or against America. In fact He didn't even consider himself an American. On April 3, 1964, he addressed both friends and enemies, because he "didn't want to leave anyone out." Malcolm addressed the issue of "The Negro Revolt", and what was to happen from then on out. He saw only two options: the ballot or the bullet. He knew that something needed to be done for his people. The sincerity of those in power was questioned, He wasn't anti-anything, but he urged the voters to be more mature in who they chose for leadership, or else in stead of ballots, bullets would be cast. The Ballot or the Bullet
ECONOMY
After its boom proceeding WWII, the growth rate of the American economy slowed and, by 1960, America was in a recession.The unemployment rate of was 6%- the highest since WWII.Poverty struck many, even those abroad.President Kennedy’s solution was to increase consumer spending by lowering taxes.This spending would stimulate the economy and give it a jumpstart again.To combat poverty abroad, President Kennedy created the Peace Corps, to provide volunteer assistance to Asia, Africa, and Latin American, as well as the Alliance for Progress, which gave technical and economic assistance to Latin American countries’ standards of living.Because of war looming and pending space traveling, space and defense industries began to pop up.Even after his death on November 22, 1963, President Kennedy’s tax cuts passed thanks to Lyndon B. Johnson.They passed in February 1964, totaling $11 billion.The outcome was positive.Corporations began receiving high profits which led to increased tax revenue which, in turn, lowered the federal deficit.In August 1964, the Economic Opportunity Act, was approved by Congress which gave almost $1 billion to youth programs, antipoverty measures, small business loans, and job training.From this act stemmed Job Corps, a youth training program; Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA program); and Project Head Start, a program for needy preschoolers.In May 1964, Johnson created his plan called the “Great Society”.In a nutshell, this plan would, in its entirety, end poverty and racial injustice, create a high standard of living and equal opportunity, and promote a richer quality of life.Programs passed under this plan included: the Medical Care Act of 1965 (established Medicare and Medicaid), the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (directed money to schools for textbooks, library materials, and special education), the Immigration Act of 1965 (ended national-origins quota established in 1924), the Wilderness Preservations Acts of 1965 (set aside 9 million+ acres for national forest lands), and the Department of Transportation (created to deal with national air, rail, and high way transportation).There are also many more programs under the Great Society.
Lyndon B. Johnson's State of the Union Address of 1965.
In this address to the Nation, Johnson expresses the need to keep the
economy growing. He introduces the idea of "The Great Society", and
just how to make it work. The President suggests the government
being more hands on and involved in what was happening with the
economy. A budget was introduced, involving a cut in excise taxes in
order to put more money in consumer's hands. Over all in this address
he let the Nation know that he wanted what was best for them, he was
doing everything he could to keep, and make America the most beautiful
place on the planet.State of the Union Address
Lyndon B. Johnson's Great Society Speech.
President Lyndon B. Johnson delivered his Great Society speech on May 22, 1964. In this speech Johnson sheds light on the mistakes America has made. He is urging America to stay beautiful, avoid an "Ugly America". According to him there are the three major areas where the Great Society needs to start being built: cities, " It will be the task of your generation to make the American city a place where future generations will come, not only to live but to live the good life,"countrysides,"Today that beauty is in danger. The water we drink, the food we eat, the very air that we breathe, are threatened with pollution." and classrooms,"Our society will not be great until every young mind is set free to scan the farthest reaches of thought and imagination." That is where they should focus on, putting their resources into that instead of blowing them elsewhere, and making America and ugly place. The Great Society
Work Cited: “Alan Shepard.” NASA.3 June 2009 <http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/imagegallery/image_feature_1076.html>.
Barry, Marion, Jr. “27th MLK Parade.” 27th MLK Parade.7 June 2009 <http://mlkdayparade.com/host.asp>.
Bornstein, Lisa. “Long before the negative ad, politicians have always known how to play to the crowd.” Rocky Mountain News. 2009. Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group.5 June 2009 <http://www.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/aug/22/long-before-the-negative-ad-politicians-have-how/>.
Bundy, McGeorge. “Document 14: National Security Action Memorandum no.181.” gwu.edu.7 June 2009 <http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/nsa/cuba_mis_cri/620823%20Memorandum%20No.%20181.pdf>.
“The Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962: The 40th Anniversary.” The Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962: The 40th Anniversary. The George Washington University.7 June 2009 <http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/nsa/cuba_mis_cri/photos.htm>.
“’Feel Like I’m Fixin to Die Rag’ lyrics.” Protest Songs.7 June 2009 <http://www.sfheart.com/protest/index1.html>.
Fincher, Lindsay. “Raise your hand if you had to do a school project on Billy Joel’s ‘We didn’t start the fire.’” lindsayfincher.com. 15 Apr. 2007.8 June 2009 <http://www.lindsayfincher.com/2007/04/>.
“The Great Society Comic Book.” Cranched for Now. 23 June 2007.7 June 2009 <http://cranchedfornow.blogspot.com/2007/06/great-society-comic-book.html>.
Herblock. “November 1, 1962.” Cartoon. Five Decades of Herblock. Washington Post Online.7 June 2009 <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/herblock/gallery/9.htm>. I have a Dream.1 June 2009 <http://www.vlib.us/amdocs/texts/mlkdream.html>.
Joel, Billy. “We Didn’t Start the Fire.” Online Tickets.com.8 June 2009 <https://www.onlinetickets.com/info/concert_tours/billy_joel/didnt_start_fire_lyrics.html>.
Johnson, Lyndon B. “The Great Society Speech.” Famous Speech Index.5 June 2009 <http://www.famousquotes.me.uk/speeches/Lyndon_B_Johnson/1.htm>.
- - -. “State of the Union Address.” American Experience. PBS.8 June 2009 <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/presidents/36_l_johnson/psources/ps_union65.html>.
“Lyndon B. Johnson: Thirty-Sixth President of the United States (1963-1969).” LBJ Library and Museum.8 June 2009 <http://www.lbjlib.utexas.edu/johnson/archives.hom/faqs/D3538-3_72.jpg>. Malcolm X Online.8 June 2009 <http://www.malcolmxonline.com/images/malcolm_home.jpg>.
McDougal-Littell. “Living with Great Turmoil.” The Americans. Evanston, Illinois: n.p., 2000. 828-941. President Kennedy’s Berlin Crisis.1 June 2009 <http://everything2.com/title/President%2520Kennedy%2527s%2520Speech%2520Regarding%2520the%2520Berlin%2520Crisis>. Prints & Photographs Reading Room. 24 Apr. 2009. Library of Congress.5 June 2009 <http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/list/085_disc.html>.
X, Malcolm. “The Ballot or the Bullet Speech.” Famous Quotes.me.uk.8 June 2009 <http://www.famousquotes.me.uk/speeches/Malcolm_x/1.htm>.
Although televisions played a big role in President Kennedy being elected, two other technological advances were prominent- the nuclear missiles and the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union. The Soviet had developed long-range missiles and had already sent Sputnik I into space, leaving America behind. In his 1961 proposals for increased spending to stimulate the economy, President Kennedy gave 20% of the budget increase to the Department of Defense for new nuclear missiles and nuclear submarines to help build up military forces. In the story of the space race, on April 12, 1961, the Soviet Union announced its success in launching a man into space on the Vostok, which orbited Earth once. Kennedy felt challenged by the Soviet, and it was decided that by the end of the decade, a man would walk on the moon. May 1961, found Alan Shepard in space and gave NASA momentum. Less than a year after the Soviet’s launch, on February 20, 1962, American Colonel John Glenn orbited the Earth three times. The United States worked on getting closer to their goal, which was then reached on July 20, 1969, when U.S. astronaut, Neil Armstrong, became the first man to set foot on the moon. Improved education was called for and science programs were expanded in schools and colleges. Of course, the space program would not have been possible without technological developments, including computers and miniaturized electronics made possible by transistors.TECHNOLOGY
(Alan Shepard: first America to space in the Freedom 7, on May 5, 1961.)
National Security Action Memorandum No. 181.
Written to the Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, Attorney General, Acting Director, CIA and General Taylor, this top secret Memorandum gives specific instructions that the President has issued once the new bloc activity was confirmed in Cuba. It involves requested action of removing Jupiter missiles from Turkey, what the U.S. people should be told of this crisis, and making other NATO nations aware of Cuba's partnership with the Soviets in order for said countries to limit their economic involvement with Cuba. This document mentions operation MONGOOSE and plans of action should war break out. Since it was top secret and sensative for a time many weren't aware of exactly what was going on.National Security Action Memorandum No. 181Nov. 6,1962 photograph.
This photo was taken from a RF-101 reconnaissance jet, that if you look closely is visible in the bottom right corner. This is just one of many photographs taken from spy planes of the United States. As technologhy advanced so did our ability to keep an eye on our enemies. The picture shows the loading of missile supplies from Casidila. It is images like this that put Kennedy on alert, and helped him take action.
The 1960's was a time of activism. Many groups protested for equality in the workplace and in life itself. Latinos and Native Americans, alike, protestest and created organizations to help their people keep their culture, gain political ground, and gain more equality. Through organizations, such as United Farm Workers Organizing Committee and Mexican American Political Association, Latino farmers received higher wages and other benefits, and more voting rights. Native Americans created the American Indian Movement and protested rights to choose how they want to live and educate their children, as well as preserve their culture and to have government-possessed land returned to them. Around the same time, a women's movement began, stemming from the idea of feminism- the belief that women should have economic, political and social equality with men. Organizations, such as National Organization for Women, helped women obtain their goals. People, such as Gloria Steinam and Phyllis Schlafly, staged protests against sexism and fought for equality for the female sex. Women gained many opportunities from this movement, fsrom college to careers and work. Also during this time was the movement of counterculture. Supporters of this movement were known as "hippies". Characterized by long hair, bellbottom jeans, psychodelic and floral patterns, flower power and peace signs, this movement was one of nonconformity. Youth and other nonconformists left the American society of going to school and living in houses- which they said was hollow with its materialism, technology, and wars, to live in groups, or communes. Drugs, mostly those which created a feeling of inner peace and provoked free thinking, along with rock'n'roll were big during this time, especially The Beatles, who shook America and took the country by storm in 1964. Counterculture soon faded but art and fashion from that time did not. Some things that endured through time were pop art and colorful and comfortable clothing, such as blue jeans which became an everyday item in American life. This time was also marked by a sexual revolution in which casual relationships became more prevalent.CULTURE
Feel Like I'm Fixin' to Die.
Joe McDonald and a band of friends composed this "anthem of the sixties". He was the editor for the magazine "Rag Baby" and apparently ran out of things to publish. So him and a group of buddies decided to do a talking issue, and with nothing but jugs recorded the original versoin of the song "Feel Like I'm Fixin' to Die." The song was spawned from the Free Speech Movement. Country Joe and The Fish spoke out openly in this song about their honest opinions on Vietnam. "And it's one, two, three,what are we fighting for? Don't ask me, I don't give a damn, next stop is Vietnam. And it's five, six, seven, open up the pearly gates, well there ain't no time to wonder why, whoopee! we're all gonna die." Clearly they were against the countries decisions to go to war once again. They believed it would only make things worse for America and they weren't the only ones. A major portion of America was infact against this war in Vietnam.The Fish Cheer & I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-To-Die Rag
We Didn't Start the Fire.
Billy Joel wrote this song a little later on, but he lived through this time period and experienced these happenings head on. It's a timeline of major events in history that have impacted America. It's comprised of things that have happened that we couldn't help, because, "We didn't start the fire, It was always burning, Since the world's been turning, We didn't start the fire, No we didn't light it, But we tried to fight it." Some events listed from this period in time are: The Bay of Pigs, U-2s, and the assasination of Kennedy.We Didn't Start the Fire
Soon after he took office, President Kennedy’s attention was diverted to Cuba, whose government was taken over by revolutionary leader, Fidel Castro, who declared himself Communist. Castro welcomed aid from the Soviet Union. American owned oil refineries and commercial farms were taken over by Castro’s government. Although many Cubans supported Castro and his actions, many others thought him a traitor to the revolution. This sent 10% of the Cuban population into exile-mostly in the United States. During the summer of 1960, President Eisenhower decided he would have Cuban exiles trained so they could invade Cuba to trigger a mass uprising to overthrow the revolutionary leader. When the 1400 exiles land in the Bay of Pigs they were met by Cuban troops, who proceeded to slaughter the exiles and take them prisoner. Although it was the CIA’s and Pentagon’s decision, Kennedy publicly blamed himself. The next crisis with Cuba was the missile crisis. Soviet Premier Khrushchev increased the flow of weapons, including nuclear missiles, to Cuba, which the U.S. would not stand for. Kennedy implemented a quarantine area around Cuba, preventing Soviet ships from landing in Cuba. Although a Soviet ship approached the quarantine area, it stopped, and a few days later, Khrushchev, not wanting America to invade Cuba, decided to take the missiles out of Cuba. Next, Kennedy’s attention was drawn to West Berlin, where refugees fled from East Germany’s Communist government and weakened the country’s economy. To solve the problem of overpopulation, Khrushchev threatened to sign a treaty that would cut off all access into West Berlin, but Kennedy refused to give up U.S. access to Berlin. So, seeing Kennedy’s determination and knowing America had a superior nuclear striking force Khrushchev couldn’t close access to West Berlin and West Germany. Instead, he had a concrete wall topped with barbed wire built- the Berlin Wall, which solved the premier’s main problem of reducing the number of East Germany refugees but did not help with Cold War tensions. In April 1963, it was announced that the Soviet Union and the United States had established a hookup that would enable leaders to communicate instantly if another crisis arose. A Limited Test Ban Treaty that barred nuclear testing in the atmosphere was agreed to by both countries later that same year. The Berlin Crisis raised awareness of how quick a decision could be made, taking it from Cold War peace to a nuclear crisis.COLD WAR
Kennedy's Berlin Speech.
On July 25, 1961, President Kennedy addressed the nation on the crisis Berlin found itself in. He explained that 7 weeks prior he had visited Europe in order to meet with Premier Khrushchev and the other men involved. Khrushchev's words were full of threats and his plans on taking out West Berlin. He felt it would be so very simple. Then Kennedy continued with how America would not be trod upon by the Soviets. He said, "We have previously indicated our readiness to remove any actual irritants in West Berlin, but the freedom of that city is not negotiable. We cannot negotiate with those who say, "What's mine is mine and what's yours is negotiable." But we are willing to consider any arrangement or treaty in Germany consistent with the maintenance of peace and freedom, and with the legitimate security interests of all nations." Kennedy wanted peace with all nations, but if he couldn't get it, he would do everything in his power to protect the ones he was bound to. The remainder of this speech held his specific ideas for further action, also what to do if America found itself in a nuclear war.Kennedy's Berlin Crisis Speech
Herblock Political Cartoon.
During this time period American was constantly on the edge of their seats about engaging in nuclear war with the Soviets. This cartoon was published on November 6, 1962, right in the peak of it all. It shows President Kennedy and Primier Krushchev on a very large crate, trying to come to terms with their "big monster", nuclear war. Krushchev seems to be scowling at Kennedy, and Kennedy looks speechless. Neither can make themselves appear weak, but neither want their countries destroyed under the others weapons. Both are very aware what could happen if they don't come to terms with their differences. They have to decide someway where they can both be content with their circumstances, and still hold their tough looking appearances.
Segregation continued into the Twentieth Century for African Americans. There were separate waiting rooms, public bathrooms, water fountains, seats on the bus, elevators and witness stands. Trying to escape the racism and discrimination in the South, led African Americans to the North, along with industry jobs created by WWI. Resentment for African Americans by white people because of competition for jobs led to violence. WWII opened up even more jobs to African Americans, as well as Latinos and white women, as well as military positions. Thurgood Marshall and his NAACP lawyers fought and won many Supreme Court cases pertaining to segregation. The most prominent being the case of Brown v. Board of Education, where a young girl was denied admission into an all-white school four blocks from her house and was told to take a bus to an all-black school 21 blocks away. This was deemed unconstitutional. Another famous event was Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott that lasted for 381 days. Perhaps the most famous of all was 26-year-old pastor, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who believed in nonviolent confrontation of government, and peaceful resistance and refusal. His most famous speech was his I Have a Dream speech, delivered on August 28, 1963. Many organizations were created to aid in the protests. Such organizations include the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, which staged protests and demonstrations and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, a group created by African American university students. The Congress of Racial Equality staged the first “sit-ins” where African American protesters would sit at an all white lunch counter and refuse to leave until they were served. These protesters were beaten, jeered, and had food poured on them, though they did not fight back. Despite being arrested, beaten, suspended from college, tear gassed and fire hoses, they did not back down. On July 2, 1964, President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This act prohibited discrimination because of race, religion, national-origin, and gender, as well as gave citizens rights to enter all public places. Other African American Civil Rights protesters included Robert Moses- a New York school teacher who left his job to join the SNCC, Fannie Lou Hamer- the daughter of Mississippi sharecroppers who spoke for the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party at the Democratic National Convention in June 1968, and Malcolm X- an African American Muslim who advocated for self-defense and believed that African Americans should be proud of their identity. During a speech in Harlem’s Audubon Ballroom, on February 21, 1965, Malcolm X was shot by three men. The African Americans were making progress on the road of breaking down racial barriers.CIVIL RIGHTS
Martin Luther King Jr.'s I Have a Dream Speech
.Martin Luter King Jr. was an extremely influential speaker. He could grab the attention of every different type of person, whether the people wanted to hear what he had to say, or not. On August 28, 1963, he delivered perhaps his most famous speech in history at the Lincoln Memorial, in Washington D.C. His "I Have a Dream" speech infact doesn't start with those words. It starts with looking back 100 years to what Lincoln did for this country with the Emancipation Proclamation, how his monument stood as a ray of hope for the African Americans. He addressed his concerns for his people, that they were "still languishing in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land". Though King wasn't about to stand by and watch as his people were continually treated so horribly, because he did have a dream. His dream was for us as American's to stand up for the very thing we preached, that all people were created equal and every man had the right to reach his full potential and not be squashed by the racial views of another. This speech affected many different peole in different ways and truly had an impact on the direction America was headed racially. "I Have a Dream"The Ballot or the Bullet Speech.
Malcolm X, was Muslim minister, who wasn't for or against America. In fact He didn't even consider himself an American. On April 3, 1964, he addressed both friends and enemies, because he "didn't want to leave anyone out." Malcolm addressed the issue of "The Negro Revolt", and what was to happen from then on out. He saw only two options: the ballot or the bullet. He knew that something needed to be done for his people. The sincerity of those in power was questioned, He wasn't anti-anything, but he urged the voters to be more mature in who they chose for leadership, or else in stead of ballots, bullets would be cast.The Ballot or the Bullet
After its boom proceeding WWII, the growth rate of the American economy slowed and, by 1960, America was in a recession. The unemployment rate of was 6%- the highest since WWII. Poverty struck many, even those abroad. President Kennedy’s solution was to increase consumer spending by lowering taxes. This spending would stimulate the economy and give it a jumpstart again. To combat poverty abroad, President Kennedy created the Peace Corps, to provide volunteer assistance to Asia, Africa, and Latin American, as well as the Alliance for Progress, which gave technical and economic assistance to Latin American countries’ standards of living. Because of war looming and pending space traveling, space and defense industries began to pop up. Even after his death on November 22, 1963, President Kennedy’s tax cuts passed thanks to Lyndon B. Johnson. They passed in February 1964, totaling $11 billion. The outcome was positive. Corporations began receiving high profits which led to increased tax revenue which, in turn, lowered the federal deficit. In August 1964, the Economic Opportunity Act, was approved by Congress which gave almost $1 billion to youth programs, antipoverty measures, small business loans, and job training. From this act stemmed Job Corps, a youth training program; Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA program); and Project Head Start, a program for needy preschoolers. In May 1964, Johnson created his plan called the “Great Society”. In a nutshell, this plan would, in its entirety, end poverty and racial injustice, create a high standard of living and equal opportunity, and promote a richer quality of life. Programs passed under this plan included: the Medical Care Act of 1965 (established Medicare and Medicaid), the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (directed money to schools for textbooks, library materials, and special education), the Immigration Act of 1965 (ended national-origins quota established in 1924), the Wilderness Preservations Acts of 1965 (set aside 9 million+ acres for national forest lands), and the Department of Transportation (created to deal with national air, rail, and high way transportation). There are also many more programs under the Great Society.ECONOMY
Lyndon B. Johnson's State of the Union Address of 1965.
economy growing. He introduces the idea of "The Great Society", and
just how to make it work. The President suggests the government
being more hands on and involved in what was happening with the
economy. A budget was introduced, involving a cut in excise taxes in
order to put more money in consumer's hands. Over all in this address
he let the Nation know that he wanted what was best for them, he was
doing everything he could to keep, and make America the most beautiful
place on the planet.State of the Union Address
Lyndon B. Johnson's Great Society Speech.
President Lyndon B. Johnson delivered his Great Society speech on May 22, 1964. In this speech Johnson sheds light on the mistakes America has made. He is urging America to stay beautiful, avoid an "Ugly America". According to him there are the three major areas where the Great Society needs to start being built: cities, " It will be the task of your generation to make the American city a place where future generations will come, not only to live but to live the good life,"countrysides,"Today that beauty is in danger. The water we drink, the food we eat, the very air that we breathe, are threatened with pollution." and classrooms,"Our society will not be great until every young mind is set free to scan the farthest reaches of thought and imagination." That is where they should focus on, putting their resources into that instead of blowing them elsewhere, and making America and ugly place.The Great Society
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